Ain’t no mountain high enough for Paige
Hard work has paid off for Athlone Park Primary School grade 7 high jumper, Paige Tancrel who received confirmation of her inclusion in the KZN youth athletics team after she finished second in the girls U13 high jump at the 2013 KZN sub-youth champs on Saturday, 26 October at Kingspark.
Despite high winds, Paige cleared 1.40m. “I felt I could have done better, although I was happy with my result,” she said. “It was very windy, which put me off a bit.”
Paige will represent her province at the inter-provincial championships in Potchefstroom. This follows her win at the fifth sub-youth track and field league with a jump of 1.40m at Kingspark on Saturday, 12 October.
“That was a really good achievement, because I’ve been working hard for it.” This isn’t a record jump for Paige, who cleared 1.44m to break her school record on 16 August.
She started doing high jump in grade 4, but by her own admission only started excelling in the sport in grade 6. “I never knew I was good at it, which held me back. Once I started to believe in myself, I realised I could do it,” said the 12-year-old, who is coached by the school’s sports teacher Shane Swan.
“I started coaching Paige two years-ago and she’s improved a lot in that time, although this year has been her biggest improvement,” said Shane.
Paige received her KZN colours for cross-country at Potchefstroom earlier in the year. She is coached by Riaan Swanepoel at Toti Athletics Club. She also received KZN colours for waterpolo this year and enjoys playing hockey, netball and swimming for her school. “I also recently started ice-skating at Galleria Ice Rink, which I am enjoying.”
